The Malta Labour Party’s regional development plan for the Grand Harbour area is a vital part of the party’s strategy to boost economic growth in the country, said party leader Alfred Sant.

He was speaking at a media conference during which the party unveiled its plan for the whole Grand Harbour area from east to west – Kalkara, Cottonera, Marsa, Floriana, Valletta, Pietà, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema.

Dr Sant said the plan is one of the Labour Party’s most ambitious; it is a holistic plan that takes into consideration a number of socio-economic issues that need to be addressed.

Discussions with stakeholders began towards the end of spring this year. After that, a group from the MLP – led by Charles Mangion, MLP’s main spokesman for finance and economic affairs and Charles Buhagiar, the party’s main spokesman for public works, roads, public transport and construction – started drafting the regional development plan, with projects aimed for completion by 2020.

The Labour leader explained that transport and parking are the plan’s key elements. In fact, the plan highlights the need to make better use of sea transport, using a ferry system that would link the eastern harbour area to the west, as this would reduce traffic congestion in the whole area.

As for land use, the Labour leader said the party plans to have two main areas – one will be an industrial zone, while the other area will be dedicated to tourist attractions, entertainment, sport and leisure facilities.

The plan also indicates the party’s intention to set up an authority for the Grand Harbour area, which would have its own budget and be responsible for the implementation and administration of proposed projects.

“Our regional development plan builds on the huge potential of the Grand Harbour area. We want to create a new and glorious chapter in the history of this harbour,” said Dr Sant.

Asked how the party intends to finance the projects forming part of the regional development plan, Dr Sant said funds would first be allocated directly to the authority to administer the Grand Harbour area. After that, a recurrent allocation will be given to the authority from the government budget.

The authority would also be able to operate using income from its activities, bank loans or bonds, funds and loans from private investors, and funds from international sources.

The authority could also enter into joint ventures or public-private partnerships, said Dr Sant.

Dr Mangion said the harbour is one of the country’s biggest assets and investment in the area would definitely contribute to the Labour Party’s plan to boost economic growth by four to six per cent in the forthcoming years.

“With the implementation of the regional development plan, the country would generate new employment opportunities and take advantage of certain untapped areas in the maritime sector, such as ship management and yacht servicing.

“We also want to improve physical communication between different sectors of the area and their respective hinterlands. The plan addresses problems like transport, parking, education and employment, so we want to improve the social and infrastructural elements of the whole area,” said Dr Mangion.

Mr Buhagiar spoke particularly about the environmental problems of the area due to traffic congestion and parking problems, which in turn affect air quality.

“We want to provide more and better recreational facilities and introduce the concept of public transport by sea. We are proposing a whole new infrastructure to achieve this goal. We want to physically connect Marsamxett to Grand Harbour. This can either be done by means of a tunnel beneath Valletta, or better still by excavating further the ditch surrounding the city.”

Special boats would transport passengers from one locality to the next, said Mr Buhagiar, adding that this system would be complemented by three parking facilities in different parts of the periphery of the Grand Harbour area.

The plan proposes the creation of three new parking facilities – one in the Floriana/Marsa area, another in the St Julian’s/Pembroke area and a third one somewhere between Cospicua and Fgura.

Moreover, said Mr Buhagiar, parking facilities in other areas, including those forming part of the Labour Party’s other plans like the proposed project for Valletta’s City Gate, would further complement the system. This includes plans for underground parking facilities beneath Freedom Square, the site of the old Opera House and St George Square.

Among other projects forming part of the Labour Party’s plan, Mr Buhagiar mentioned the construction of a five-star hotel on the Evans Building site to complement the Mediterranean Conference Centre and a five-star hotel or tourist complex at Villa Bighi in Kalkara.

The Labour spokesman said that among the things they learnt during discussions with stakeholders, was that there was an urgent need for more berthing facilities for cruise liners.

“We plan a change in ‘zoning’, so the area around Corradino will be dedicated to industrial activity, while other areas, from Church Wharf in Marsa to Valletta and from Ricasoli to Senglea, will be dedicated to entertainment and leisure facilities,” he said.

The Labour Party will officially present its regional development plan for Grand Harbour at a meeting with all stakeholders at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Saturday.